Mark Dion is the mayor of Portland. Carl Sheline is the mayor of Lewiston.

This Valentine’s Day weekend, we honor the immense love that our residents have shown for their fellow neighbors. Over the past few weeks, we have seen our two cities come together in a remarkable display of care for one another. The communities in Portland and Lewiston stand as a strong symbol of civic pride for us.

Maine has recently been in the spotlight — unfortunately not to celebrate the values we know to be true of our home, but rather to incite fear and attempt to divide us.

National rhetoric and local dialogue have hatefully questioned the value of immigrants in our country and in our state. However, we already knew the truth.

Our Somali, Afghan, Congolese, Angolan and Ukrainian neighbors belong here. Our recent immigrants and refugees have worked alongside the descendants of previous generations of Irish and French Canadian immigrants to help make our cities a more vibrant and dynamic place. These individuals and families bravely came here as strangers seeking safety and opportunity. They have quickly become our customers, employees, entrepreneurs and, dare we say, our friends.

Friends take care of friends. And moral clarity sees the difference between right and wrong.

From the moment credible reports were made of increased ICE presence in Maine, our residents sprang into action. The fear of our immigrant and refugee community was real and palpable. You could hear it in their voices and see it in their actions.

This incredible fear was met with fierce love and responsibility from their neighbors. You could hear it in their voices and see it in their actions. Calls were made, meetings were held and networks formed. This happened organically without involvement or direction from us. In what felt like only a matter of hours, entire systems were in place to help residents get their kids safely to school, employees to work and groceries delivered to families.

There were many orchestrated efforts during this time, but one that stood out to both of us was the coordinated plan to move vehicles off the streets and into city garages in advance of our cities’ respective snow bans. Word had gotten out that ICE was hanging around our garages and snow ban parking lots looking for people who were moving their vehicles.

With speed that rivaled any call for emergency first responders, volunteer drivers were deployed to move all of the cars of those who requested assistance. Thanks to their quick efforts, we are unaware of any detainment that took place near our city garages during the snow ban.

This was possible because both Portland and Lewiston possess a steadfast commitment to each other and to the broader community. This kind of community organizing doesn’t come to fruition overnight. It’s in the fabric of our spirit as Mainers to lift each other up. We would like to recognize the remarkable work of community leaders. We truly are stronger together.

While we realize that ICE has operated in our communities for the past year and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, all evidence points to a reduction in agent levels since January. Things are beginning to feel their way back to normal in both our cities.

Our neighbors’ love for each other never wavered. Many were taken from us, and, through the resolute efforts of residents, many have been returned. Neighbors raised money for attorneys and bonds. We helped to coordinate child care for children whose parents and caregivers were taken. People wrote recommendation letters. Our neighbors continue to work tirelessly to make sure we get everyone back. 

The love that exists in our communities has been tested and forged through collective experiences and tragedies. From Lewiston’s Oct. 25 mass shooting to the recent Custom House Wharf fire in Portland, our residents come together in the face of adversity. 

We have shown ourselves that each one of us is capable of being that leader the moment calls for and for that our two cities will remain indebted to those who saw the need and the risk but chose to stand up for all of us.

Here’s to you, Portland and Lewiston. We love you.